Nicky Barbato announces the background behind most of the songs on this frisky album, making for an interesting first listen, but making you wish for an automatic “edit” after that. He plays guitar in a rocking fashion along with Tony Mason/dr, Chris Anderson/b and joined for a few pieces by Jon Irabagon/ts-key and a string section of Melissa Tong, Bryan Hernandez-Luch, Ben Russell and Maria Jeffers. The larger ensembles include a wild and wooley scratched out polka on “Spacre Heater” with Irabagon’s tenor adding to the hard rocker of “Blues Chip.” A free from tribute to Kurt Vonnegut creates sparks on “50 Dollar Chew” and the drums hit hard before Barbato skates along a pretty take of The Beatles’ “Norwegian Wood.” A clever take of ABBA’s “Dancing Queen” is hip and snappy whle “Mr. Anderson” is spacious and pastoral. Wide ranging tones and attitudes.